Altars

For general information see Altar

Venice's churches are home to many altars across the city, with most churches containing many. Even a relatively small church such as the Church of S. Zulian in San Marco has seven altars. Many altars house great works of art, mainly paintings and and some sculptures. Many altars also contain relics, or objects that hold religious significance because they are connected to a saint or Christ.

Dedication

A side altar in Church of San Martino di Burano dedicated in honor of S. Antonio di Padova

Altars are frequently dedicated in honor of specific canonized saints. Venice has 331 altars which are dedicated to a saint, with 133 different saints among these. The most common saint altars were dedicated to was the Virgin Mary (Santa Maria) with 87 altars, followed by St. Anthony of Padua (San Antonio di Padova) with 29. 

Sponsorship

Altars are sometimes sponsored by guilds or scuole and by wealthy families...

Relics

A side altar in Church of San Zaccaria containing the bodies of S. Zaccaria and S. Anthanasius

Altars frequently contain the relics of saints that they are dedicated in honor of...

Artwork

Altars house artwork that frequently depict the life of Christ and the saints, by many well known painters...

Preservation

Most altars in Venice are more than three or four hundred years old and as such are starting to see wear and damage...